Gather 'round, families, party planners, and game night enthusiasts! Are you searching for activities to entertain your guests during holiday gatherings?
Our world is increasingly being splintered by hectic schedules, technology, and politics, but did you know, there's a magical way to bridge the gap! No matter the age, interests, or gender, play is the way to bring people together!
You simply can't overstate the beauty of finding a way to bring people together. Whether easing tensions or simply having a laugh, the right games and activities can transform any gathering into a memorable occasion. Let's explore some fun-filled options that promise smiles all around.
Crafting Fun: Create, Collaborate, Celebrate!
Art brings people together because creativity knows no gender or age limits (or skill levels, thank goodness!). Creating something beautiful together is less about making a masterpiece and more about joy, memories, and a little bit of mess! It's about the experience and who you create it with...and maybe who gets the most glitter in their hair!
Activity Ideas:
- Collaborative Mural: Everyone adds their own touch to a giant mural on a large paper or canvas, creating a colorful masterpiece.
- Themed Craft Stations: Set up different craft stations with various materials (paint, clay, beads) and let people rotate to try other creative activities.
Top Picks:
- Flower Patterns Origami Paper Kit: Fold, press, and play with this captivating set of Origami Papers with 54 different patterns to choose between.
- Studio in a Box: This all-in-one art kit gives kids the perfect start to creating their own in-house art studio, with all the supplies needed to get the artistic juices flowing. Sketching and drawing, painting, coloring – this set has everything needed to explore the arts!
- Mega Jewelry Studio: Creativity is limitless with this jewelry studio set, filled with the everything you need to make up to 50 pieces! Make anything imaginable—from bracelets and necklaces to flashy hair accessories.
- Playpa Giant Coloring Sheet: Each 8-metre roll is printed with our exclusive design. You can color it, paint it, or play on, providing countless hours of artistic fun! Create stories on it, play with figurines, and invent games on it. Plus, it can be hung on a wall gallery style!
Game On: Let the Fun Begin!
Games have a magical way of bridging generational gaps—drawing in teenagers who are always glued to their phones and grandparents who can still dominate word games. There tends to be a universal appeal that pulls everyone away from their gadgets and grumpiness, sparking laughter, friendly rivalry, lively chatting, and even a bit of teamwork.
Games bring the family together, turning friendly competition into unforgettable memories, whether it's a fast-paced card game or a classic puzzle. They remind us that fun is the universal language, regardless of age or screen time habits!
Activity Ideas:
- DIY Trivia Night: Create trivia questions based on fun facts about the group or pop culture, and form teams to compete for the win!
- Minute to Win It Challenges: Set up silly, quick challenges like stacking cups or balancing cookies on foreheads for some fast-paced, goofy fun.
Top Picks:
- The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game: Perfect for preschoolers and adults alike, this game brings out the playful spirit in everyone.
- Animal Upon Animal - Original: A delightful stacking game that requires steady hands and lots of giggles, bridging the skill levels of adults and children.
- Word Teasers, Ridley's 90's Music Trivia, Skillmatics Guess in 10 - Animals, and many more!
- Meme the Game - Disney Version: Once upon a time, someone paired a classic Disney scene with a smart saying and a meme was born! Therefore, the fun hilarious Meme the Game now has a Disney theme.
- Check out our Games and Puzzles Collection for more ideas!
Whisking Up Memories: Bake, Share, Savor!
Imagine the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air, bringing with it the warmth of shared stories and laughter. Baking together is both therapeutic and rewarding. It bridges generations, offering a fun, hands-on way to bond while teaching valuable skills. From learning patience and new recipes to sparking creativity, it's a sweet way for both young and old to connect, share stories, and enjoy the fruits of their labor—literally!
Activity Ideas:
- Bake-off Challenge: with your family or friends, experimenting with new recipes or decorating techniques. Not only does everyone get to enjoy the sweet rewards, but it also makes for a great bonding activity.
- Cookie Exchange: You can make cookies together or bake beforehand and bring them to exchange.
- Themed Dinner Parties: Choose a theme or cookbook for everyone to choose a recipe from. Gather and cook the dishes or bring them premade to cook and eat together.
Top Picks:
- Handstand Kitchen® Intro to Baking: This 17 piece starter baking set has the essential bakeware, utensils and recipes for chefs of all ages to learn to bake cupcakes, muffins, cookies, cakes and more! session where everyone can join in; no musical experience is needed!
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dantoy BIO Baking Set in Gift Box: This baking set invites play and learning and develops imagination and fine motor skills. The pieces feature beautiful muted shades and light tones – trendy, calming for both kids and parents, and perfect for endless hours of play.
- Check out our Chefs in Training Collection for inspiration!
Story Time Shenanigans: Weaving Tales Together!
Storytelling is an art that transcends time and place. It's a chance to share legends and personal tales or make something entirely new together.
Storytelling together connects generations by passing down wisdom, traditions, and imagination, creating a shared sense of history and belonging. It sparks creativity in the young and rekindles cherished memories in the old, making it a powerful way to bond and inspire across ages. It strengthens friendships by allowing people to share personal experiences, creating deeper connections and understanding. It fosters empathy, laughter, and trust, turning shared stories into lasting bonds that bring friends even closer.
- Story Round-Robin: Each person adds a sentence or paragraph to an evolving story, building on what the last person said for a hilarious and unpredictable tale. Use prompts from various storytelling games or cards to get the creative juices flowing.
- Memory Lane Sharing: Everyone takes turns sharing a favorite personal story or memory based on a theme, like "first adventures" or "funniest moments."
- Storytime: Listen to a story or take turns reading a story out loud. It’s even more fun if done around a roaring campfire.
Top Picks:
- Mad Libs: Mad Libs is the world’s greatest word game and the perfect gift or activity for anyone who likes to laugh! Write in the missing words on each page to create your own hilariously funny stories.
- Small World Play Sets are a great option for sparking stories.
- Tonies Players and Characters: The Toniebox is an imagination-building, screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs, and more.
- The Most Magnificient Thing - the Game is a fun way to spark communication and can be adapted to tell a story about the "invention" created.
Making Music Together
Music is a universal language that speaks to everyone. Whether tapping along to a beat or belting out a karaoke tune, it's a fantastic way to build connections.
Activity Ideas:
- Group Jam Session: Have you ever seen Jimmy Fallon and his guests play popular songs on kid's instruments? Channel that idea and gather a variety of fun instruments, noisemakers, or just voices for an impromptu jam session where everyone can join in; no musical experience is needed!
- Musical Chairs with a Twist: Play the classic game but have each person freeze in place and sing the next line of the song when the music stops.
- Karaoke Night: Put the focus is on fun rather than talent so everyone can join in the harmonious fun!
Top Picks:
- Djeco has some fun musical instruments to hold your very own jam session where everyone can join in; no musical experience is needed!
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Tonies Players and Characters: The Toniebox is an imagination-building, screen-free digital listening experience that plays stories, songs, and more.
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Check out our Musical Collection for more inspiration!
Gather and Give Back: Kindness in Action!
Groups can also come together for the greater good. Organizing volunteer activities or creating crafts for charity can strengthen bonds and build community.
Activity Ideas:
- Card-Making Party: Create handmade cards to send to hospitals, nursing homes, or deployed soldiers, adding personal messages of care and encouragement. It's a meaningful way to spend time together while contributing positively to the community.
- Care Package Assembly Line: As a group, gather and pack items (like toiletries or snacks) into care packages to send to shelters or organizations in need while chatting and sharing stories.
- Meal Prep: Cook a meals to deliver for new parents, an elderly friend, or new neighbor.
Top Picks:
- Winter Wonderland Deluxe Holiday Cookie Decorating Set: With 30 pieces included, this set has everything needed to bake up a flurry of festive cookies, for Santa, for holiday parties, or to make anyone's day feel brighter with a delicious delivery!
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Totally Santa - Create Your Own Holiday Postcards: Everyone loves getting holiday cards, including Santa! Make the spirits bright for those you love when you create and send your very own festive holiday greetings! The set includes markers and stickers to write messages and decorate seasonal cards, ready for hand delivery or snail mail.
- For more inspo, read out blog about Spreading Kindness.
*Dolls and furniture pictured are from the Tenderleaf Collection.
Gather your friends and loved ones because play is calling! There's something for everyone, whether it's creating art, playing games, sharing stories, or baking sweet treats.
These activities remind us that connection is the ultimate goal. Ready to plan your next gathering? Head over to Safari Ltd's Multigenerational Play and Family Fun collection to find the perfect toys and games to make your event unforgettable. Now, go and play your way to happiness and connection!